Members of Donetsk's Pro Soccer Team Refuse to Return to Ukraine

Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa, right clashes with Donetsk's Yaroslav Rakitskiy as he attempts a shot on goal during their Champions League group A soccer match between Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013.
((AP PHOTO/JON SUPER))

Much of eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk, is currently under the control of pro-Russian rebels. While the Ukrainian army tries its best to regain control, the area remains unstable, with more fighting occurring today. The additional impact of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 crash in the area is adding to the already unfortunate situation.

Due to the battles in the area, the team is unable to play at their home arena, Donbass Arena. The season begins next weekend, however, and the Ukrainian Football Federation has yet to decide at which arena the team will play.

Players Alex Teixeira, Fred, Dentinho, Douglas Costa, Facundo Ferreyra, and Ismaily decided not to fly back to Donetsk this weekend and now they are facing potential sanctions. Club president Rinat Akhmetov said, "Players have contracts that they have to abide by. If they do not come, I think, they will be the first to suffer."

Considering Malaysia Airlines is offering refunds of any flight at this time, it is not surprising that the players may be slightly spooked about flying into Ukraine. Almost all international flights are currently being diverted from the area. However, Akhmetov believes they should return regardless, "Hopefully, the mind and heart will prevail over misunderstanding, and the players will not follow temptation and fear. Especially since there is nothing to fear."

While the club president may have "nothing to fear," the players certainly do. These particular players are not Ukrainians, and their skills are worth a pretty penny elsewhere. Five of the players are from Brazil, and the sixth is from Argentina. Together, their contracts are worth about $78 million on the soccer market.

News reports are focusing on the Germanwings pilot's possible depression, following a familiar script in the wake of mass killings. But the evidence shows violence is extremely rare among the mentally ill.